US President Donald Trump announced a sharp escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against the Nicolás Maduro government, confirming that US forces have seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Trump described it as the "largest one ever seized actually."
Attorney General Pam Bondi released video evidence, stating the vessel was a "crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran." The seizure comes amid intensified US efforts to isolate Maduro, who the Trump administration accuses of funneling narcotics into the US. Venezuela, which holds some of the world's largest proven oil reserves, swiftly denounced the action as an act of "international piracy," with President Maduro declaring the country would never become an "oil colony."
The news of the seizure immediately impacted global markets, causing Brent crude prices to inch higher on Wednesday due to stoking short-term supply concerns. Analysts warn that the move threatens international shippers and is likely to further disrupt Venezuela's critical oil exports.
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